Christmas debt is a funny thing – and it’s a troubling thing as well. It doesn’t show itself before Christmas. It’s always afterward that we see its familiar face. All the while we’re busy getting in over our head with holiday purchases, we’re really setting ourselves up for a future that isn’t so “merry and bright.”
I know of a few who save and plan for Christmas shopping, while so many more get themselves into a pile of debt because…well, because…. I’m sorry, I just can’t bring myself to invent an excuse or rationalization for financial irresponsibility, no matter what time of year it is. Handling our personal finances in a responsible manner requires that we do so all year long.
Being a good steward of our financial resources doesn’t allow for financial foolishness at anytime during the year, regardless of what others are doing and what our consumer-oriented culture has rammed down our throats for so many years. Sometimes the emperor has no clothes and there is no sense pretending otherwise.
It’s time to stop thinking that giving more presents shows more love – it doesn’t. If you want to give a great present at Christmas, simply try having a better presence in the lives of others all year long. It’s something that money can’t buy – yours or theirs – and all of the recipients will rightfully be indebted to you.
With this idea in mind, it doesn’t make must sense to me to give Christmas debt another thought. It isn’t worthwhile, it never has been, and it never will be.